Genevieve Stebbins
Encyclopedia
Genevieve Stebbins was an American author, teacher, and performer of the Delsarte
system of expression.
to pursue a career in theater. She made her stage debut on February 19, 1877 in Our Boys at the New Broadway Theater. Over the next eight years she appeared in several plays. From spring 1884 to 1885 Stebbins briefly returned to play a few roles in New York, but soon abandoned professional theater.
. Stebbins demonstrated at the Boston University School of Oratory for Mackaye's Delsarte lectures. She was eventually given full responsibility of the Delsarte program at the University. Stebbins, along with Mary S. Thompson, opened two Delsarte schools, one in Boston and one in New York. In February 1988 Stebbins and Thompson presented their first Delsarte Matinee at the Madison Square Theater in New York City. In 1893 Stebbins founded the New York School of Expression in the Carnegie Music Hall and later retired from the school in 1907.
system facilitated the new "modern dance" which would develop in the United States and Europe in the twentieth century.
François Delsarte
François Alexandre Nicolas Chéri Delsarte was a French musician and teacher.Delsarte was born in Solesmes, Nord. He was a pupil of the Paris Conservatory, was for a time tenor singer in the Opéra Comique, and composed a few songs. However, he is chiefly known as a teacher in singing and...
system of expression.
Early life
Genevieve Stebbins was born on March 7, 1857 in San Francisco, California to James Cole Stebbins and Henrietta Smith. Her mother died when she was two years old. As a young child she always loved to dance and perform.Theater career
In 1857 she moved to New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
to pursue a career in theater. She made her stage debut on February 19, 1877 in Our Boys at the New Broadway Theater. Over the next eight years she appeared in several plays. From spring 1884 to 1885 Stebbins briefly returned to play a few roles in New York, but soon abandoned professional theater.
Her Study of Delsarte
In 1876 she began a two-year study with theater innovator, James Steele Mackaye on the approach to dramatic expression initially developed by François DelsarteFrançois Delsarte
François Alexandre Nicolas Chéri Delsarte was a French musician and teacher.Delsarte was born in Solesmes, Nord. He was a pupil of the Paris Conservatory, was for a time tenor singer in the Opéra Comique, and composed a few songs. However, he is chiefly known as a teacher in singing and...
. Stebbins demonstrated at the Boston University School of Oratory for Mackaye's Delsarte lectures. She was eventually given full responsibility of the Delsarte program at the University. Stebbins, along with Mary S. Thompson, opened two Delsarte schools, one in Boston and one in New York. In February 1988 Stebbins and Thompson presented their first Delsarte Matinee at the Madison Square Theater in New York City. In 1893 Stebbins founded the New York School of Expression in the Carnegie Music Hall and later retired from the school in 1907.
Personal life
Stebbins was married to Joseph A. Thompson from 1888 until she divorced him in 1892. Thompson was most likely a relative of Mary Thompson so after the divorce her partnership with Mary Thompson ended. Stebbins was remarried to Norman Astley, a journalist, in April 1892. There is no record of Stebbins having children from either marriage.Death
Stebbins death is a mystery. It is believed she died in 1914 after she disappeared with out a trace during a field trip to India.Influence
Stebbins's work created more opportunities for late nineteenth-century American women to engage in physical culture and expression, especially in the realm of dance. She provided the means, rationale, and model for what could be accepted as the appropriate practices for middle and upper class ladies. Her work in the DelsarteFrançois Delsarte
François Alexandre Nicolas Chéri Delsarte was a French musician and teacher.Delsarte was born in Solesmes, Nord. He was a pupil of the Paris Conservatory, was for a time tenor singer in the Opéra Comique, and composed a few songs. However, he is chiefly known as a teacher in singing and...
system facilitated the new "modern dance" which would develop in the United States and Europe in the twentieth century.